CATANZARITE, MATTHEW, M.A. Edge Cites Revisited: The Restless Suburban Landscape (2012) Directed by Dr. Selima Sultana. 106pp. Edge cities characterized by high wage office based industries are of particular interest to planners since they reflect the type of development often associated with economic growth in the suburban landscape, but not well understood as shown by the debate over edge and edgeless cities. Very little research has been conducted that looks specifically to address whether Garreau’s edge cities of the 90’s have improved upon the concerns raised by critics in an effort to further replicate a traditional historical Central Business District (CBD) and sustain future growth or whether suburban landscapes have continued to resemble the edge city pattern at all. Very specifically, this thesis examines the following questions: (1) Can the combination of employment and population data be used to differentiate between edge and edgeless developments? (2) To what extent have edge cities of the 90’s adapted to further replicate traditional historical urban employment centers and to sustain future growth? (3) Have suburban landscapes continued to resemble the edge city, edgeless city or office sprawl pattern? (4) Can the existence and use of alternative/active transportation influence the development of edge cities? (5) Will edge cities of suburban Atlanta continue to develop relying on implementation of smart urbanism concepts and alternative transportation options? This research aimed at determining accurate geographic locations and boundaries of edge cities in the Atlanta MSA, using employment densities and characteristics, is able to precisely differentiate between areas that fit into the typology of edge cities, urban and suburban employment centers. It is clear from these findings that edge cities have yet to become the “crucible” of urban America, as Garreau advocated. What is certain is that edge cities are part of a dynamic process that parallels that of the more traditional urban core. The regard for alternative development patterns has diminished in light of recent economic and environmental trends, shown by efforts to “revitalize” existing urban landscapes and strengthen public transportation. This outlook represents a principle theme that is interwoven into this research as it applies to the sustainability of future edge city growth. The research concludes with benchmarks of measurement with the intention of providing a universal understanding as to the where and why of edge city developments in particular. Keywords: Edge cities, Edgeless cities, Employment centers, Atlanta EDGE CITIES REVISITED: THE RESTLESS SUBURBAN LANDSCAPE By Matthew Catanzarite A Thesis Submitted to The Faculty of The Graduate School at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Greensboro 2012 Approved by _____________________ Committee Chair APPROVAL PAGE This thesis has been approved by the following committee of the Faculty of The Graduate School at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Committee Chair Selima Sultana______________ Committee Members D. Gordon Bennett___________ Keith G. Debbage____________ ____________________________ Date of Acceptance by Committee March 14, 2012_______________ Date of Final Oral Examination ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express the deepest appreciation to my committee chair, Dr. Selima Sultana, for her continuous support and motivation. Her encouragement, patience and faith in my abilities helped to develop my determination through this research. I would also like to sincerely thank my committee: Dr. Gordon Bennett and Dr. Keith Debbage, for their support by means of knowledge and experience in the process contributed to both a more refined and rigorous study at the same time. In addition to my colleagues who helped make this happen, I would like to give my appreciation to UNCG and the geography department in particular for facilitating my personal expansion of knowledge over the last five years. Finally, I would like to thank all of my family and friends for their lifelong support and encouragement. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................ vi LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................ 7 2.1 Definition of Edge Cities ................................................................... 7 2.2 Criticisms of Edge Cities ................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Boundary Issues .................................................................. 9 2.2.2 Edge Cities Through a Smart Urbanism Lens .................... 11 2.2.3 Jobs-Housing Balance and Mismatch ................................ 14 2.2.4 Lack of Diversity ............................................................... 16 2.2.5 Transport Infrastructure ..................................................... 19 2.3 Edgeless Cities and Office Sprawl ................................................... 21 III. RESEARCH DESIGN, DATA AND METHODS ........................................... 23 3.1 Data ................................................................................................. 23 3.2 Study Area ....................................................................................... 24 3.3 Research Design and Methodology .................................................. 28 IV. FINDINGS ...................................................................................................... 38 4.1 Edge Cities in Transition: 1990 to 2000 ........................................... 38 4.2 Employment Share in Centers, Edge Cities and Edgeless Cities: 1990 to 2000 ....................................................... 53 4.3 Diversity in Centers, Edge Cities and Edgeless Cities: 1990 to 2000 ................................................................................ 56 iv 4.4 Jobs-Housing Balance and Mismatch in Centers, Edge Cities and Edgeless Cities: 1990 to 2000 ............................. 64 4.4.1 Commuting Characteristics and Job-Housing Balance/Mismatch ..................................... 66 4.4.2 Income Potential of Employees and Residents ................... 69 4.5 New Urbanism and Smart Growth in Centers, Edge Cities and Edgeless Cities: 1990 to 2000 ................................................ 72 4.5.1 Density .............................................................................. 72 4.5.2 Transportation Infrastructure and Characteristics ............... 75 V. SUMMARY, DISCUSSION, AND CONCLUSION ....................................... 86 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 93 v LIST OF TABLES Page Table 4.1. Edge City, Edgeless, Urban and Suburban Employment Center Numbers and Size .................................................... 40 Table 4.2. List of Edge Cities and Their Size, 1990 and 2000 ....................................... 46 Table 4.3. 1990 and 2000 Population in Real Numbers and Percentage of Total ............................................................................ 54 Table 4.4. Population Change in Each Region in Real Numbers and Percentage of Total ............................................................................ 54 Table 4.5. Race as a Percent of Total Metropolitan Working and Residential Population ....................................................................... 57 Table 4.6. Race as a Percent of Working and Residential Population in Each Region ....................................................................... 60 Table 4.7. 2000 Native and Immigrant Populations ....................................................... 62 Table 4.8. Housing Units and Density, 1990 and 2000 .................................................. 73 vi LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 3.1. Atlanta 14 County MSA Study Area ........................................................... 26 Figure 3.2. Garreau's Atlanta, 1990 ............................................................................... 27 Figure 3.3. Research Design Flow Chart for Edge City Identification ........................... 36 Figure 3.4. 1990 Retail Industry Location Quotient ....................................................... 37 Figure 3.5. 2000 Office Administration Occupations Location Quotient ....................... 37 Figure 4.1. Area in Acres of Each Region, 1990-2000 .................................................. 41 Figure 4.2. 1990 Edge Cities and Employment Centers ................................................. 44 Figure 4.3. 2000 Edge Cities and Employment Centers ................................................. 45 Figure 4.4. Perimeter Center Edge City ......................................................................... 47 Figure 4.5. Average Distance to CBD in Miles ............................................................. 48 Figure 4.6. Cumberland Mall Edge City ........................................................................ 52 Figure 4.7. 2000 Percent Employed Residential New Immigrant Population ................. 63 Figure 4.8. Jobs-Housing Ratio, 1990-2000 .................................................................